Outstanding Woman in Atlantic Agriculture
The award is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Women in Agriculture across the region and to honor one of the nominees at each successive conference.
What is this Award?We are looking for women who are making a difference in the Agriculture Industry, they may be a farmer, and farm employee, working or volunteering at any step along the supply chain, or supporting rural Atlantic Canada. They show exceptional skills at home, in their community, regionally and beyond. They understand the importance of supporting primary producers, educating the general public and seek to grow and improve themselves at every opportunity.
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How Can I Nominate Someone?Nominations may be made by an individual or group to recognize a strong, dedicated and exceptional Woman in Agriculture in our region.
Please send an email and tell us their story. Your email should include the reason why you feel they should be recognized along with the essential details: Name, Age, Location, Role(s) within the Industry, Examples of exceptional efforts, and a photograph if possible. Nominations are Due by September 1, 2024 and may be sent to [email protected] with the Subject Line “Outstanding Woman Award” Nominations will be reviewed by a regional panel and the winner will be announced at the Atlantic Farm Women’s Conference. |
Winner Receives......The winner of this award will receive $150 cash PLUS $100 cash donation to be made to a charity or organization of their choice, and a special keepsake to commemorate the award. |
We look forward to hearing about the extraordinary women in our industry from across the region!
Past Winners
2017

- Betty Lou Scott (right) nominated by Janette MacDonald (left)
- April 2017, Inaugural winner
- A portion of Betty Lou's nomination:
- Betty Lou is no stranger to many in the agriculture sector. After finishing her education and starting her teaching career, Betty Lou and her husband Bill took over her family's farm in Mount Thom, Nova Scotia. They continue to operate it and are well known for high quality Registered Angus cattle bred under the Windcrest name. They have two children and are a proud, active grandparents. During their busiest times on the farm they had 90 head of cows. Managing a large herd of Angus cattle is not for the faint of heart- and that’s Betty Lou. She may be small in stature but she has more passion and spirit for agriculture and beef cattle than anyone I know.
Betty Lou has served as Secretary/ Treasurer for the Maritime Angus Association for decades. You will find her name and phone number on Maritime Angus events. She’s the go-to gal! Betty Lou has also served as a director on the Canadian Angus Association. She was an integral part of the Canadian Angus Annual Meeting which was hosted in Halifax in 2010. She also helps to organize the Angus Ambassador program.
Outside of angus associations Betty Lou has been a leader with the Salt Springs 4-H club for more than 35 years. She is the Secretary of the Pictou County Leaders Council. Working with youth has been an important part of Betty Lou’s life. Betty Lou also found the time to have a full time career off the farm as a teacher. She has always found a great a sense of accomplishment in helping youth develop important life skills like public speaking, showing and judging.
Betty Lou was one of the 2012 recipients of the FCC Rosemary Davis Award, an annual award which honours five women across Canada who are active leaders in agriculture. It would be fitting that the she also be recognized as an Outstanding Woman in Atlantic Agriculture. She has worked hard home on the farm, in the school system, and is respected by her community, her peers within the Maritime region and nationally. I think Betty Lou is very deserving of this award as someone who gives selflessly, has a passion for farming, youth, 4-H, and rural life.
2019 - Amy VanderHeide

From her nomination:
When you think of awards like this, you think of older individuals, however I’d like to nominate a young lady making a difference in Agriculture in her community.
Amy VanderHeide is a young wife, mother, farmer, Agvocate and so much more.
Along with her husband and his parents they grow commercial poultry. She and her husband also have a small beef herd on their own.
Amy and James have 3 young sons aged 4-10, so a busy household to begin with.
She also is a 4-H leader, on the board of the Kings County Federation of Agriculture, sits on the Agriculture Committee of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce and is a recently appointed AGvocate for Ag More Than Ever. This is a national recognition for her social media posts about their everyday life on the farm and educating those who may not know. She and her friend Katie began the Facebook group Maritime Women in Ag that has far surpassed the Maritimes.
She’s also featured in a book by Billie J Miller called Farmwives 2: An Inspiring Look at the Lives of the new Canadian Farmwives.
Amy volunteers to read in school educating about agriculture.
Amy performs all these roles well, without complaint and always with a smile.
When you think of awards like this, you think of older individuals, however I’d like to nominate a young lady making a difference in Agriculture in her community.
Amy VanderHeide is a young wife, mother, farmer, Agvocate and so much more.
Along with her husband and his parents they grow commercial poultry. She and her husband also have a small beef herd on their own.
Amy and James have 3 young sons aged 4-10, so a busy household to begin with.
She also is a 4-H leader, on the board of the Kings County Federation of Agriculture, sits on the Agriculture Committee of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce and is a recently appointed AGvocate for Ag More Than Ever. This is a national recognition for her social media posts about their everyday life on the farm and educating those who may not know. She and her friend Katie began the Facebook group Maritime Women in Ag that has far surpassed the Maritimes.
She’s also featured in a book by Billie J Miller called Farmwives 2: An Inspiring Look at the Lives of the new Canadian Farmwives.
Amy volunteers to read in school educating about agriculture.
Amy performs all these roles well, without complaint and always with a smile.